Mass. brothers aim to be big winners on 'Biggest Loser'

Friday

Feb 22, 2008 at 12:01 AMFeb 22, 2008 at 10:17 PM

They’re two brothers — one who’s been big his whole life and the other who gained weight once he had a family. Now far from home and in front of a camera, the co-workers are on a mission to lose as many pounds as they can while competing against other like-minded heavyweights.

Grant Welker

They’re two brothers — one who’s been big his whole life and the other who gained weight once he had a family. Now far from home and in front of a camera, the co-workers are on a mission to lose as many pounds as they can while competing against other like-minded heavyweights.

New Bedford resident Jay Kruger and his brother, Mark Kruger of Dartmouth, are in the final weeks of "The Biggest Loser," the NBC show that matches hopeful dieters against each other to see who can lose the most weight. Contestants are competing in teams this season for the first time.

The brothers were chosen from 150,000 that applied on NBC.com or through nationwide casting, said senior press manager Jill Carmen. Through eight weeks, they’ve combined to lose almost 148 pounds — or more than 13 pounds each per week. They are one of the final remaining teams, competing for the $250,000 grand prize that will be awarded April 15.

Jay and Mark are “super-competitive” brothers, their NBC biography says. Jay, 31, was told recently by his doctor that he may become a candidate for gastric bypass surgery if he doesn't lose weight. He’s always been big — weighing about 300 pounds at the start of the show — but now wants to set an example for his children and family.

“I’m big-boned, but then again, I’ve never seen a fat skeleton,” Jay said in his profile. His idea of fitness, the bio says, is “riding in a golf cart for 18 holes.”

Mark, 35 and the middle of three brothers, said he hasn’t had the time to work out but that his weight — about 290 pounds before the competition — keeps him from succeeding in his career. He was active in school and gained weight only once he had a family.

The Kruger brothers — who make up Team Black — and their families are under strict orders not to talk about the show, but they do have specific resolutions motivating their weight loss. Jay wants to be able to throw his kids in the air, and Mark wants to lose more than his kids weigh.

“They are good-looking, all-American guys living the dream,” their bio says. “They come from a very tight-knit family and do everything together.”

If their weight loss continues, the next thing they may do together is split $250,000.